Community Blood Center of the Carolinas awarded Gabby Franklin a $1,000 scholarship as part of its Students Saving Summer program.

Through the program, local high school and college students partner with CBCC to host blood drives during the months of June through September to help meet the needs of patients in area hospitals.

Franklin hosted one of the five the top-producing Students Saving Summer blood drives and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to continue her education. The Bessemer City resident held blood drives at the Bessemer City Senior Center and the Recreation Center, and she collected enough units to help save up to 180 lives.

“We are deeply appreciative of all the students who stepped up to help save local lives during their summer vacation, these are the best of the best,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of CBCC. “We are grateful for their dedication to donation all year round, but it is their efforts during the difficult summer months that get us through. These young people and future leaders are true heroes in our community and to our local patients in need.”

Gabby Franklin is the daughter of Jo-D and Melissa Franklin. She is a student at Bessemer City High School and plans to attend Gardner-Webb University to study nursing.

In addition to its Students Saving Summer program, CBCC offers other scholarship and grant opportunities for local students and schools throughout the year. Since 2009, CBCC has awarded more than 300 scholarships and grants.

To learn more about CBCC’s scholarship opportunities, call 1-888-59BLOOD, email student@cbcc.us, or go online to www.cbcc.us/scholarships.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is the local nonprofit, community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to the region’s hospitals. CBCC collects blood and blood products from volunteer donors in the community to return to the community at the lowest possible cost consistent with the highest possible standards. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers that provide more than 50 percent of the nation’s blood supply. For more information, visit http://www.cbcc.us/.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 1-888-59BLOOD.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter, on Instagram https://instagram.com/cbccarolinas/ and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.